A Jewish Home Celebration Guide ...Preparing for Passover

Tzimtzum 7 April 2015/ 5775

TM

Seder Night Offers An Opportunity for Intrigue

I

by Dr. Ron Wolfson

don’t know what the tradition is in your family, but in ours, Seder night is a dress-up affair. Suits and ties, dresses, new clothes for the kids –“Shabbos” clothes we call them. Imagine our surprise when one year we arrived at our friends’ house and they greeted us wearing long flowing robes of Bedouins! Welcome to our Seder!” they exclaimed. “Please take off your shoes before you come in.”

Inside:

Dear Nina Ten Tips for a Great Seder! Dear Nina Burning Plan: Chametz to Matzah Pesach Rhyme Editor’s Picks

Inside the formal dining room, we saw a table set with fine china and crystal. David and Shira, however, led us past the dining room, down the hall and into their large family room. We were astonished to see the beams of the vaulted ceiling draped with large white bed sheets, forming a tent-like structure encompassing the center of the room. All the furniture had been removed, except for some beanbag chairs and overstuffed pillows scattered around the floor. In the center of the tent, on a low coffee table, was the Seder plate. “Welcome to our home in the desert,” David and Shira explained. “We decided to re-create what really happened on that first night of the exodus from Egypt. Please make yourselves comfortable.” In a masterfully led, fun-filled experience, we enjoyed a delightful, relaxed telling of the Passover story. It was a Seder we’ll always remember. The rabbis who created the Seder were brilliant educators, filling the ceremony with an array of multisensory modalities including symbolic foods, elaborate rituals, words and song, and, most importantly, questions designed to keep even the youngest children interested. As stated in the Haggadah, “B’chol dor va-dor hayav adam lirot et atzmo k’ilu hu yatzah miMitzrayim” —“All people, in every generation, should see themselves as continued on page 2

This publication contains names of God. Please treat it with appropriate respect. Pitome Publishing, LLC  PO Box 30961, Santa Barbara, CA 93130 (805) 898-9207 PST  www.pitome.com  [email protected]  Made especially for Congregation B’nai Israel of Little Rock Distribution rights limited to 2015/ 5775

Jewish Family Times™ Passover © 1998-2015 Pitome Publishing, LLC written and edited by Nina Gelman-Gans

2

Ten Tips for a Great Seder continued from page 1

having experienced the Exodus from Egypt.” It is imperative that we use the Seder, not just as history, but an opportunity to reenact our liberation from slavery. In many homes, each person takes a turn reading from the Haggadah. This may be “participatory”, but it is hardly engaging. So, here are ten tips to enliven your family’s Seder experience this year: Give homework. Over the years, guests have presented a play, a song or a take-off on a game show to engage in lessons of the Seder. Buy time. The Seder ceremony of my youth never lasted more than twenty minutes, That’s how long it took to say Kiddush, do Karpas, break the matzah, and fight over saying the “Mah Nishtanah”. After a few minutes, my Uncle Morton would ask the infamous “Fifth” question: “When do we eat?” End of ceremony. My very creative wife Susie often prepares an edible karpas centerpiece. The blessing for karpas is ...borei p’ri ha’adamah. Once you’ve done this blessing, you can eat any vegetables of the earth, including artichoke! After karpas, we invite our guests to “eat the centerpiece” with saucers of Pesachdik salad dressing. Tell the story. Think of creative ways to tell the Exodus story. We have seen families use skits, puppets and story books. One family even presented a version of the Ten Plagues in costume, complete with magic tricks. It was amazing - and unforgettable! Ask questions. Encourage your guests to liberate themselves from the book and discuss the messages of the Haggadah. Make your own questions, or use the Passover Box of Questions as creative catalysts.

Have fun. Having family fun is serious business, especially at the Seder table. Surprise your guests and shake it up! Make 5775 the best year yet! Be inclusive. Make everyone an afikoman hero. We created a scavenger hunt for the children. Each stop had a card with a single letter. When the kids found all the cards, they brought them to the table, and the adults unscrambled the location of the real afikoman. This followed with prizes for all! Use materials. Add tactile materials to your haggadah where appropriate: cotton balls on pictures of sheep, sandpaper on pictures of the bricks of the pyramids, grape scratch-and sniff stickers on pictures of the Kiddush cups. This way, children can follow along and participate at their own level in their own very special way. Make Hiddushim (innovations). Instead of filling Elijah’s Cup at the beginning of the Seder, wait until just before opening the door and pass Elijah’s cup to each participant to pour some wine into it. This demonstrates that one must act to bring the Messianic era. The Sephardim beat the leader with green onions during the singing of Dayyenu as a reminder of the hard work. All ages love to sing Had Gadya adding the sounds of a goat, a cat, a dog, a stick, fire, etc., after each verse is sung. Make up gestures for Who Knows One. Choose a good Haggadah. There are over 3,000 editions of the Haggadah. Every year, more versions appear. Look on-line, and use resources to inspire you, not enslave you! Prepare. Of course, the ultimate Haggadah may be one you put together with your family. The reward will be a meaningful and memorable Seder experience that reflects the needs of your family. Enjoy! Passover starts Friday evening, April 3, 2015. Ron Wolfson is the Dean of the Center for Jewish Education at American Jewish University He is the author of The Art of Jewish Living: The Passover Seder, Jewish Lights Publishing as well as numerous other publications. Article adapted with permission.

Made especially for Congregation B’nai Israel of Little Rock Distribution rights limited to 2015/ 5775

Jewish Family Times™ Passover © 1998-2015 Pitome Publishing, LLC written and edited by Nina Gelman-Gans

3

Dear Nina:

Puzzling Questions You Always Wanted to Ask ...about Chametz

Dear Nina—What is chametz?—puzzled Alison Dear Alison—Good question! Chametz is the Hebrew word for puffy, or sour. During Passover we aim to avoid foods with “leavening”. This prohibition extends to all grains and flour, corn and corn products, cereal, pasta and legumes. Sometimes foods which may be mistaken as leavened are banned in order to avoid confusion. For example, Ethiopians define chametz to include anything fermented, such as yogurt or sour cream. Many food products contain corn syrup, which may rule out jellies, prepared foods and canned foods. Read labels carefully, or just cook from scratch. Dear Nina—If we’re not allowed to use any flour for Passover, how can we eat matzah. It uses flour, right? – Contemplating in Minnesota. Dear Contemplating—Right on! The rabbis determined that no fermentation can happen in under 18 minutes, so mixing and baking matzah is done under controlled and supervised conditions. Likewise, shmura matzah, (aka “golden cardboard”) is expensive because it is watched extra closely, from the time of the grain harvest all the way through baking, to assure that no extraneous water causes illegal fermentation. Before Passover, try making your own matzah. It will increase your appreciation of that crumbly cracker.

Dear Nina—Growing up, our Passover menus were rather relaxed. Now my daughter is bringing her observant boyfriend home for Seder. Please advise! —Midwest mom Dear Midwest—Kol hakavod for doing your best make your daughter’s boyfriend feel comfortable. Here are some pointers on foods that may not seem obvious. Spices and sugar do not have to be kosher-for-Passover, but they must be new and unopened. Some families keep a special Passover spice collection. Remember, peanuts are a legume, so no PB&J this week!* Also, bean sprouts are a legume, so don’t toss them into your salad. When cooking use new jars of safflower, olive, or walnut oil. If you’re in doubt, ask your guest for guidance. Dear Nina—I’m very excited because a friend invited me to her Seder. She mentioned a special rice dish her husband makes. Isn’t this a no-no? —Alexy Post Dear Alexy—This probably isn’t a breach of etiquette. If your friend’s family is Sephardic (Spanish or Middle-eastern origin), it is permissible to eat rice during Passover. You may eat kitniyot (rice and legumes) in a Sephardic home, even if this is not your tradition. However, if you’re Ashkenazic (Eastern European heritage) you can’t serve a Sephardic friend kitniyot in your own home. Perhaps you’ll be searching for invitations from your Sephardic friends? ______________________________________________ * The designation of peanuts and certain oils varies according to different rabbis. Please consult your rabbi for a definitive ruling for your community.

Made especially for Congregation B’nai Israel of Little Rock Distribution rights limited to 2015/ 5775

Jewish Family Times™ Passover © 1998-2015 Pitome Publishing, LLC written and edited by Nina Gelman-Gans

4

Join the Passover Purge

I

nevitably, the final days before Passover are hectic. For some families, the cleaning frenzy starts the day after Purim. The commandment not to eat or own unleavened products provides a great excuse to purge and clean. Use the check-list below, or create your own to guide your efforts. Count-down is a chametz barbeque on Friday morning, April 3.

MECHIRAT CHAMETZ (Sell leavened products) Strictly speaking, we are supposed to get rid of, or give away all our chametz (leavened) products. But this could be very expensive. Instead, we enter contractual agreements where a designated non-Jew “buys” our collective chametz during Passover, and must return it at the end of the holiday. In return, we give tzedakah (donations), often earmarked to alleviate hunger.

A THOUGHT: Is chametz just a bread product? Perhaps it is also thoughts and practices we’d like to cleanse from our systems. Aside from cleansing our houses, what personal cleansing would you like to do this year?

CLEANING CHECKLIST:

o  Kitchen: cupboards, drawers, oven, stove, fridge, fresh supply of ice ________________________ o  Garbage cans: wash and deodorize _____________ o  Wash and vacuum car _____________ o  Bedroom: drawers, closet, under the bed, secret stash ____________________________________________ o  Office: files, books, piles ________________________ o  Bathroom: toiletries, shower grime, mirrors, faucets, rugs, new toothbrush __________________________________ o  Closets: Have you worn, or will you wear ______ in the next six months? If not, maybe you don’t need it. o  Attic: maybe we don’t need to keep ... _________________ o  Garage: I’ve been meaning to clear out ... ______________ o  Sell chametz o  Bedikat chametz o  Biur chametz

 Visit your local rabbi to sell chametz. Or, take care of it on-line at

TZEDAKAH organizations such as www.chabad.org, torah.org, or aish.com. ACTION  Share your bounty. Project Mazon, a Jewish Response to Hunger, ITEMS: recommends that we allocate 3% of the cost of our celebration to help others. www.Mazon.org  NACOEJ (North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry) provides lunches to hungry schoolchildren in Israel. For less than 45 cents/day, a child can receive nutritional lunches. Nurture a child and nurture learning. www.nacoej.org  Give to a hunger organization of your choice.

Made especially for Congregation B’nai Israel of Little Rock Distribution rights limited to 2015/ 5775

Jewish Family Times™ Passover © 1998-2015 Pitome Publishing, LLC written and edited by Nina Gelman-Gans

5

Bye Bye Chametz!

Chametz Hunt Ingredients:

BEDIKAT CHAMETZ

 10 packets of chametz

(wrapped tightly in paper)

Time for a scavenger hunt! Now that all chametz has been “sold” it is the child’s turn to make sure no crumbs are left in the house.

 1 taper candle or flashlight  1 large feather  1 wooden spoon  1 paper lunch bag

 1 molting

parrot (optional)

Hide 10 packets of crumbs around the house and commence a treasure hunt. You can even add riddles and clues. This ceremony is traditionally done the evening before the seder, with a candle and a big feather. Yes, that means Thursday night, April 2!

Since we had a parrot who generally molted in early spring, Peretz (the parrot) supplied a feather to search for bread crumbs.

Praised are you Adonai, Source of blessing, who has made us holy with your commandments, and has commanded us to remove chametz. Baruch Ata Adonai, Elohaynu Melech HaOlam, / asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu / al bi-ur chametz.

Ready, set, go! Use your candle and feather to search out chametz. Sweep crumbs onto the spoon and into the lunch bag. When you’re done, recite this blessing which declares all chametz in your possession to be like dust of the earth.

May all leaven in my possession which have not seen or removed, be regarded as non-existent and considered as mere dust of the earth. Kol chamira v’chamiya d’i-kah vir-shu-ti, d’la cha-mi-tey u-d’la vi-ar-ta, u-d’la y’da-na ley, li-ba-teyl v’le-he-vey hef-keyr k’afra d-arah.

Safety note: Don’t let children roam the house unsupervised with an open flame. A flashlight is safer for fire prevention. — from Carol Shlag, Allentown, PA Made especially for Congregation B’nai Israel of Little Rock Distribution rights limited to 2015/ 5775

Jewish Family Times™ Passover © 1998-2015 Pitome Publishing, LLC written and edited by Nina Gelman-Gans

6

BIUR CHAMETZ: Burn your crumbs Traditionally, this is done mid-morning before the first Seder. Once you have your “barbeque”, you can’t eat any more chametz until Passover is over. Some families don’t eat items which will be on the Seder plate for the rest of the day. Google Chabad/ Passover/Zmanim to get your exact morning deadline on Friday, April 3, 2015.

For the chametz hunt, we provide clues that eventually bring the children to all ten chametz packets. For example, “A tisket a tasket, Moses is sleeping in the basket.” They look for a basket with a small Moshe doll in it. The basket contains the next clue, “B’nai Yisrael mixed mortar to make bricks.” There might be a note on the fireplace bricks leading to another place...until the treasure hunt is complete. Susan Shevitz, Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education, Brandeis University

The best option for making a safe fire is to burn chametz inside a barbeque grill or in a metal trash can. Be sure to work with adult supervision.  Place your paper bag into a fire-proof

container and light the bag.  When everything has completely

burned, recite the blessing below.

Why are these prayers such tongue twisters?

May all leaven in my possession, whether I have seen it or not, or whether I have removed it or not, be declared null and void like the dust of the earth. Kol chamira va-cha-mi-yah d’eekah vir-shuti, da-cha-zi-teh u’d-la, cha-zi-tey, da-cha-mitey u’d’la cha-mi-tey, d’vi-ar-tey u’d-la vi-ar-tey, li-ba-teyl v’le-he-vey hef-ked k’af-rah d’ar-a.

Made especially for Congregation B’nai Israel of Little Rock Distribution rights limited to 2015/ 5775

These prayers are written in Aramaic, the common language of the Jews around the third century C.E. This language is a bit harder to fit around the tongue. You can recognize Aramaic because many words end in an aleph. The Mourner’s Kaddish is also written in Aramaic.

Jewish Family Times™ Passover © 1998-2015 Pitome Publishing, LLC written and edited by Nina Gelman-Gans

7

Back in Time - - A Pesach Rhyme by Pamela S. Finer z”l  Use this condensed summary of Passover for rhyming or paper bag skits. Scarves, necklaces, hats, and assortments of random objects to create memorable results.

 

In ancient Egypt long ago, there lived a very mean Pharoah.  The situa on was quite grave.  He made each Jew into a slave.    

The Jews worked hard, they really did, to build the Pharoah’s pyramid. 

 

But Pharoah had a scheme so vile: to drown our babies in the Nile. 

One was rescued from the water by the Pharoah's princess daughter.  She said, “He’s cute, I think I’ll save him!” Moses was the name she gave him.   

And through the years as Moses grew, he always knew he was a Jew. 

 

Once Moses saw a slave get beaten.  The slave was sick; he hadn’t eaten. 

That slave was whipped, he was abused.  Moses sure was not amused.  To put a stop to this disaster,  Moses killed the cruel Taskmaster.   

When Moses saw what he had done, he ran away to Midian. 

 

And there he tended flocks of sheep (He was a Biblical “Bo‐Peep”). 

One day he saw a bush in flame, and then a Voice called out his name.  The Voice said, “You’re on Holy sod—Moses, I’m the Lord your God.”    “Please go to Pharoah with the news that I’ve asked you to free the  Jews.”   

But Moses said unto the Lord, “What if my plea should be ignored?” 

And God said, “Moses, have no fear, for when you go I will be near.”  © 1999 David Zaboski

So back to Egypt Moses went, knowing he was heaven‐sent.   

In the wilderness so barren, he was joined by brother Aaron. 

 

They spoke to the Egyp an Ruler, but it only made him crueler.  Con nued on next page 

Pamela S. Finer, Jewish educator, mother and wife, struggled with cancer and died on November 14, 2009.   May her memory be a blessing. Made especially for Congregation B’nai Israel of Little Rock Distribution rights limited to 2015/ 5775

Jewish Family Times™ Passover © 1998-2015 Pitome Publishing, LLC written and edited by Nina Gelman-Gans

8

Back in Time - - A Pesach Rhyme, continued... They asked the Lord for His advice, ‘cause Pharoah’s heart was cold as ice.  Poor Moses, he was filled with woe.  He begged, “Please let my people go!”   

But Pharoah s ll would not be nice, so God sent frogs, and even lice. 

 

When Pharaoh wouldn’t change his mind, God sent beasts, the vicious kind. 

Then ca le died right in their tracks, and boils appeared on peoples’ backs.  Soon icy hail fell from the sky, and locusts caused the crops to die.   

And then God sent plague number nine: The days grew dark, without sunshine. 

 

But just as you can probably guess, the Pharoah s ll would not say, “Yes”. 

The tenth plague was by far the worst:  Egyp an first‐born sons were cursed.  Throughout the land, the parents cried as all the first‐born children died.   

But once again the Jews were spared.  It showed them that God really cared. 

 

This final plague hurt Pharoah so, at last he said, “The slaves can go!” 

From Egypt land the Hebrews fled. They didn’t pause to bake their bread.  Their dough was raw, unfit to eat, un l it baked in desert heat.   

(In case you haven’t guessed, I’ll men on, “Matza” was their great inven on!) 

 

Soon Pharoah said, “I’ve been a jerk. I need those slaves to do my work!”  With Pharoah’s army in pursuit, the Jews kept on their desert route.  Before them was the Sea of Reeds, behind them, soldiers on their steeds.    The Hebrews feared they might be trapped.  Morale was low, their strength was  sapped. But Moses heard the word of God—The Voice said, “Moses, raise your  rod.”  Once again the Lord provided.  Suddenly, the sea divided!  Moses led the Jews to land.  When they were safe, he raised his hand.    The waters covered up the ground.  Pharoah’s army sunk and drowned. 

 

With God and Moses there to lead ‘em, the Jewish people won their freedom. 

Made especially for Congregation B’nai Israel of Little Rock Distribution rights limited to 2015/ 5775

Jewish Family Times™ Passover © 1998-2015 Pitome Publishing, LLC written and edited by Nina Gelman-Gans

9

Leaving Egypt? Pack it Out! What was it like to leave Egypt? To find out, read on and follow the directions one step at a time. You have been a slave in Egypt. After much stubborness and hardship, Pharoah has finally decided to let your people go. You have eaten your final meal, and you have one hour left to pack for the journey. You don’t know where you’re going, how long the journey will take, or what you’ll see along the way. Your Egyptian neighbors are piling you with riches to repay for all your hard work during the last 210 years. Choose carefully, you’ll have to carry everything yourself. Take one minute to list 12 items you will take on your journey. 1.

Have you filled your duffel bag? If not, don’t read any further. Choose wisely!

2. Complete your list and pack your bag neatly! 1 _____________________________

3.

Hey, I guess you forgot, but you’re a slave. Look at your list and cross out all the items you wouldn’t own as a slave.

4.

Bummer gadol, one of the taskmasters saw you packing and takes your favorite remaining possession. Cross it out.

2 _____________________________ 3 _____________________________ 4 _____________________________ 5 _____________________________ 6 ___________________________

5. Yikes! Nothing is the same since the plagues ripped through here. Your bag falls apart and everything crashes to the ground. Circle three items to carry with your hands.

7 _____________________________ 8 _____________________________ 9 _____________________________ 10 _____________________________ 11 _____________________________ 12 _____________________________

QUESTIONS TO PONDER...

What was it like to leave in such a hurry?

As you lost your favorite possessions, at what point did you want to fight back?

What will I tell my children?

How will your three remaining possessions help you to survive in a hostile desert?

What are your hopes for the future?

Ac vity adapted with permission from Crea ve Holiday Programming: A Walk‐Through Seder Experience by Dr. Judy Press and Sandy Dashevsky. 

Made especially for Congregation B’nai Israel of Little Rock Distribution rights limited to 2015/ 5775

Jewish Family Times™ Passover © 1998-2015 Pitome Publishing, LLC written and edited by Nina Gelman-Gans

10

Editor’s Picks

E

xpand your boundaries with these great Passover resources. Dig in now, because Passover arrives Friday, April 3.

Sitting Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents) by Eline Snel. Cultivate kindness and understanding with playful exercises that will help kids sharpen their discernment of the world around them. As they understand their inner responses, they will be more resilient in learning and interacting in their world. Nurture your inner frog to see what freedoms unfold. Audio CD deepens extends exercises. The Night That Unites— Teachings, Stories, and Questions from Rabbi Kook, Rabbi Soloveitchik, and Rabbi Carlbach by Aaron Goldscheider. Teachings from three extraordinary rebbes intertwine in conversation as the author percolates wisdoms across 3,000 years of tradition. Thematic explorations include the Jewish inner fire, expressing kindness, the defiance of reclining, and the joy of being creative. You may also find yourself discussing the merits of being a public Jew, a discerning leader, or contemplating the nature of a holy nation. Hallel contains insights on reliance, joyous song, gratitude, and a desire for unity. This gem will provide years of inspiration.

The New Passover Menu by Paula Shoyer. Have a snack before your browse this cookbook, because just looking will release your salivary glands. Master Chef Shoyer provides diverse recipes for Seder, Shabbat, and the days in-between. Mindful of the busy modern host, recipes use seasonal ingredients to enhance frozen gefilte fish, or enhance the same-old dense kugel. Enjoy this sample recipe. ASPARAGUS, ZUCCHINI, and LEEK KUGEL (Gebrokts) Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1 leek, halved, cut white and light green parts in ¼" thick slices (discard green sheaf, slice lengthwise, and rinse dirt between layers)  3 cloves crushed garlic 1 bunch thin asparagus - cut in half the long way and then into thirds 1 medium zucchini, large shred with skin intact.  1 cup spinach, stacked and slices into ⅓ inch ribbons  2 scallions, cut ¼" thick 1 Tbsp. slivered fresh basil leaves  3 large eggs, slightly beaten  ¼ cup matzo meal  ¼ tsp salt  black pepper Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Heat oil in large frying pan, add leek & onion and cook 3 minutes. Add leek and onion and cook 3 minutes. Add garlic and asparagus and cook 4 minutes. Turn off heat. Add zucchini, spinach, scallions and toss to combine. Cool in large bowl for 15 minutes. Add basil, eggs, matzo meal, salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Evenly spread mixture into a 9 x 13 greased baking pan. Bake kugel 45 minutes, or until browned on top.

Made especially for Congregation B’nai Israel of Little Rock Distribution rights limited to 2015/ 5775

Jewish Family Times™ Passover © 1998-2015 Pitome Publishing, LLC written and edited by Nina Gelman-Gans